Monthly Archives: November 2011

If you pre-order your copy of Final Fantasy XIII-2 at GameStop, and happen to be a member of the PowerUp Rewards scheme, you’ll receive a second pre-order bonus on top of the previously-announced alternate costume for Serah. The Genji Bow is a transforming weapon that allows for both ranged and melee attacks, and even increases Serah’s attack speed.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is expected on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in early 2012.

Thanks, GameInformer.

IndustryGamers reports Zynga’s new Facebook game, CastleVille, is breaking the publisher’s own records for rapid growth. In just five days, Castleville has drawn 5 million users, as compared to CityVille’s 3.2 million over the same period.

Zynga is expected to make its initial public offering over the next few weeks, and is looking to command at least $1 billion.

Square Enix has announced it will open an Android market in Japan. The initial catalogue features Dragon Quest Monsters Most Wanted!, Chaos Ring, Final Fantasy and Crystal Defenders. Chrono Trigger, Itadaki Street and more are expected in the near future.

No word on a Western equivalent just yet but as the publisher has seen success with localised releases on iOS, we can probably expect something next year.

Thanks, GameSetWatch.

The notorious Desert Bus, Penn and Teller’s incredibly boring and unrewarding parody simulation, is now available on both iOS and Android. It’s worth owning just to say you’ve experienced it, but all proceeds from the 99 cent app go straight to penny Arcade’s charity Child’s Play, which provides toys and games for hospitalised kids.

In related news, at time of writing the annual Desert Bus for Hope marathon, a tradition of the end-of-year Child’s Play drive, is on the 69th of 134 hours, and over $131,000 in donations.

Thanks, Joystiq.

Gamestop senior vice president Mike Mauler has given an outline of how the specialist retail chain’s streaming service will be “pro console”.

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The Elite League mode of NFL Blitz has the player collecting, trading and even gambling cards to built the ultimate team.

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The eclectic range of music in SSX, along with users own collections, will be remixed in response to in-game actions.

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Thanks to the wonders of mobile phone technology, you too can see the exclusive Beyond Good & Evil 2 presentation from Montpellier In Game 2011.

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Nintendo of America has announced two limited-edition 3DS bundles will hit US retailers on November 24, both priced at $200.

The Super Mario 3D Land bundle sports a flame red 3DS, but the console in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS bundle is that special black-and gold dealio.

Nintendo is running a number of hands-on promotions for the games between November 21 and December 18, in shopping malls across the nation.

Trion Worlds has added three more MMO specialists to its team – Jonathan Goddard, Jeff Pabst, and Simon Bull.

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Sony’s announced that a Jak & Daxter HD Collection is in the works and will be releasing in February next year for PS3.

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Rockstar’s announced a special edition for Max Payne 3.

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According to a new report, 22% of iPhone owners in the UK regret purchasing the device.

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Square Enix has announced it’s to open a brand new studio in Montreal alongside the currently-existing Eidos Montreal.

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Hideo Kojima has given the clearest indication yet there will be a Metal Gear Solid 5, saying the sequel is something that Kojima Productions will “probably” have to develop.

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Sony’s announced that Vodafone has been selected as the “preferred partner” for Playstation Vita’s 3G services in Europe.

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The producer on the upcoming Tomb Raider movie has said the film will focus on being an origin story, similar to the next Lara Croft game.

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Microsoft’s offering a $20,000 investment to developers who want to work with Kinect under a new initiative known as Kinect Accelerator.

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Blockbuster’s said in an interview with MCV that publishers are offering “an awful lot of support” to dismantle the pre-owned games market.

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This video is on this site because Chuck Norris allows it to be. See? Video’s below the break without the risk of a roundhouse kick.

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